That one about re-appropriation

My name is Hulisani and I am re-appropriating my name in a passive aggressive manner.

Now let us start with the definition of what re-appropriation is.

– In sociology and cultural studies, re-appropriation or reclamation is the cultural process by which a group reclaims—re-appropriates—terms or artifacts that were previously used in a way disparaging of that group. (Thank you Wikipedia)

And in case you don’t know what disparaging means then here is another definition.

– Expressing the opinion that something is of little worth (thanks again Wiki)

So if we read the meaning of re-appropriation again here is what we get.

– Re-appropriation entails reclaiming something that was previously used in a way that gave it little worth.

Ah. So how does re-appropriation fit in with my name ‘New Person’? Let me show you exhibit A: a typical conversation that many people who don’t have names found on key-rings would relate to.

Me : hi, what’s your name?
New Person : I’m Jessica. People call me Jess. And you?
Me : I’m Hulisani.
New Person : oh? Say that again?
Me : Hulisani. Who-lee-saa-knee. Hulisani.
New Person : Who- sunny? Don’t you have another name?
Me : Nope, just the one.
New Person : And any nicknames?
Me : Nope, not anymore.
New Person : So you used to have one? (Insert a glimmer of hope in ‘new person’s’ eyes)
Me : Yes, when I was younger people called me Smurf.
New Person : oooh. Okay. I’ll call you that.

[On a side note this is the point where I scream internally because you, ‘New Person’, didn’t even try.]

Okay so let’s go back to that definition of re-appropriation.

– Re-appropriation entails reclaiming something that was previously used in a way that gave it little worth.

See how in Exhibit A you decided within seconds of hearing my name that you already wanted an alternative? You wanted to disregard what I had said about my given name. My ‘useful tag’ that separates me from the next person was simply done away with in favour of another tag that had no relation to my existence. By doing away with my name you gave my name no worth at all.

But who is to blame here?

Let’s start with my parents.

Of ALL the names in the book of ‘Baby Names for Girls’ they chose Hulisani. Really now parents?

Unfortunately for you, ‘New Person’, my parents aren’t to blame. My name means ‘give respect to’. The full sentence from which my name originates means ‘give respect to God’/ ‘Lift up God’.

Coming from a Christian family it is clear to see that my parents chose well. 10/10 parents!

That leaves only two people. Myself and said ‘new Person’.

Let’s start with me.

At the point in the conversation where nicknames were mentioned I should have stood my ground and not elected to bring up past nicknames because I was trying to stay away from it. That is my fault and I should have respectfully asked you to try and say my name again a few times so that you could get it right. Even if it is just for the next 10 minutes followed by a lifetime of, “Oh hey friend” because you have forgotten my name.

However in this you situation you didn’t really try. There are some people who do and after a few attempts I give them an alternative which is the shortened version of my name – Huli. You, ‘New Person’, don’t get that courtesy because my name wasn’t ‘easy’ enough for you to go through the effort of repeating it more than once.

It baffles me to no end that learning a difficult European name is simpler than learning an easy African name. How is Novak Djokovic easier than Lerato Dube?

In light of these above observations I have made the decision to re-appropriate my name.

I will no longer answer to Smurf, Smurfie, Smurfette or any variation of names that doesn’t even remotely sound like my name because that is not who I am.

I hope this finds you well.

Best Regards,

Hulisani

Hulisani the intersectional feminist who still believes in romantic gestures and saving mother earth.